Orthopedic brace having length-adjustable supports

Abstract

An orthopedic brace having length adjustable supports is provided. The brace comprises upper and lower supports rotatably connected by a hinge. Each of the supports comprises an elongate portion having a channel along part of its length, and a sliding upright that nests within the channel. The upright is incrementally longitudinally translatable within the channel so that the length of the support is adjustable. Flanges are provided along the edges of the channel to prevent lateral separation of the upright from the stationary portion. A spring-biased button protrudes from an upper surface of the channel. The button cooperates with one of a plurality of holes in the upright, providing a positive lock to retain the upright in one of a number of predetermined positions within the channel. The upright is also completely removable from the channel. Removal of the upright from the channel shortens the brace. Straps cooperate with brackets on the supports and / or uprights to secure the brace to a patient's leg.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 10 / 949,818, filed on Sep. 24, 2004, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 020,319, filed on Dec. 11, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,261, which claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 255,521, filed on Dec. 12, 2000. The entirety of each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to orthopedic braces and, more particularly, to orthopedic braces having length adjustment capability. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Orthopedic braces are commonly employed after surgery or for treatment of injury to a joint. Such braces generally serve to stabilize the joint. In certain cases orthopedic braces limit joint flexion and / or extension in a controllable and adjustable manner to prevent re-injury of the joint and to promote rehabilitation. [0006] ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The preferred embodiments of the orthopedic brace have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this orthopedic brace as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. However, not all of the following features are necessary to achieve the advantages of the orthopedic brace. Therefore, none of the following features should be viewed as limiting. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments,” one will understand how the features of the preferred embodiments provide advantages over prior braces. One such advantage is length adjustability so that the amount of restraint offered by the brace may be altered during a course of treatment and so that one brace may fit differently sized patients. Another advantage is that the brace includes a low profile that prevents the brace from snagging objects as the wearer moves about. The brace may be manufactured from a combination of thermoplastic composite and metal that enables the brace to harness the advantages of both materials. Further, the brace may have a length adjustment mechanism that is recessed to prevent accidental activation.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, at least one padded cuff is disposed between the patient's leg and the brace to increase patient comfort.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the upright is removable from the at least one of the first and second supports to shorten the overall length of the brace.

Problems solved by technology

This configuration makes them susceptible to prying forces that tend to separate the components.

Adjusting these braces requires a screwdriver or turning a manual thumbscrew, both of which are inconvenient and time consuming.

Such braces are also typically prone to failure due to stripped fastener threads.

These braces, however, do not provide a positive lock, and are thus prone to disadvantageous slippage.

Machining and forming aluminum, however, is relatively expensive and has certain physical limitations.

Aluminum thus limits the range of features and style that may be incorporated into the brace.

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